EFFECT OF MUSCLE-RELAXATION SPLINT THERAPY ON THE ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITIES OF MASSETER AND ANTERIOR TEMPORALIS MUSCLES

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of splint t herapy on the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles (anter ior temporalis and masseter) before and after the application of a mus cle relaxation splint. Electromyography recordings from the masseter a nd anterior temporalis muscles were analyzed quantitatively during max imal biting in the intercuspal position both before and after treatmen t without a splint. Fourteen patients whose chief complaint was mastic atory muscle pain were selected for the study. After the initial evalu ations muscle relaxation splints were applied, and the patients were i nstructed to use the splints for 6 weeks. Surface electromyographic re cordings were taken from each patient before the beginning of clinical therapy and after 6 weeks of wearing the splints. The data obtained w ere analyzed through paired sample t tests and Wilcoxon's signed rank tests. The results of the study were as follows: (1) the electromyogra phic activity of the two muscles during maximal biting was not markedl y changed after the muscle relaxation splint was used; and (2) the cha nges observed in electromyographic activity of the involved and noninv olved sides were insignificant as well.